Summary of Contents for GRAPHTEC CE5000-120AP

To Ensure Safe and Correct Use To Ensure Safe and Correct Use • To ensure the safe and correct use of your cutting plotter, read this manual thoroughly prior to use. • After reading this manual, keep it in a handy location for quick reference as necessary. •...

• After confirming that smoke is no longer being emitted, contact your sales Prohibited representative or nearest Graphtec vendor for repairs. • Never attempt to perform repairs yourself. Repair work by inexperienced personnel is extremely dangerous. Do not disassemble, repair, or remodel the cutting plotter.

Safety Precautions Safety Precautions WARNING Do not use the power cord if it is damaged. • Use of a damaged cord may result in electric shock or a fire hazard due to current leakage. Unplug the power • Replace the power cord with a new one. cord from the socket Do not allow dust or metal scraps to adhere to the power plug.

• Use of the cutting plotter in such a condition may result in electric shock or a fire hazard due to current leakage. Unplug the power • Contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor for repairs. cord from the socket When disconnecting the power cord or interface cable, do not pull on the cord/cable.

Safety Precautions Safety Precautions CAUTION Do not attempt to lubricate the cutting-plotter mechanisms. • Such action may cause it to break down. Prohibited Do not clean the cutting plotter using volatile solvents such as thinner or benzene. • Such action may impair its performance. Prohibited Provide sufficient space around the cutting plotter so that it does not strike any objects in its vicinity during cutting or plotting.

Preface Preface Thank you for choosing a Graphtec CE5000-120AP cutting plotter. This cutting plotter employs a digital servo drive system to achieve high-speed and high-precision cutting operations. Besides cutting apparel paper and other media, it can also be used as a pen plotter.

Contents 5 Setting and Using the Special Functions Description of Special Functions A ..................5-2 Setting Special Functions A ..................... 5-4 Description of Special Functions B ..................5-5 Display Language Setting (MENU LANGUAGE SELECTION) ........... 5-5 Setting Special Functions B ..................... 5-5 6 Troubleshooting The Cutting Plotter Does Not Operate When Turned On ............

Introduction Rear View Power switch AC power inlet Stand Basket Alignment shaft Basket ...... Used to catch media after it has been cut. Alignment shaft ..Used when loading roll media. Power switch ... Turns the power supply to the cutting plotter on or off. AC power inlet ..

Introduction Control Panel Indicator Lamp STATUS ..Illuminates while the power to the cutting plotter is turned on, and goes out when the cutting plotter is in PAUSE status. This lamp flashes when data is being received from an interface, regardless of whether or not the cutting plotter is in PAUSE status.

Introduction (3) Insert the sheet support pipes into the sheet support pipe brackets. Use the lower holes for the pipe that will be at the front of the cutting plotter, and the upper holes for the pipe that will be at the rear.

Introduction (5) Attach the media guide bracket to the underside of the front panel. Loosen the two decorative screws that are attached to the underside of the front panel (one on each side) by two or three turns, slot the bracket in, and then tighten the screws. Decorative screw Media guide bracket CAUTION...

Introduction (7) Tighten all the hexagonal bolts that were temporarily fastened in step 1. (8) Pull out the sheet support pipes, and attach the sheet to them. Pass the sheet over the center bar, and fasten the ends to the support pipes using the press-studs. Sheet support pipe Pass over the center bar Press-stud...

CHAPTER Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.1 Connecting to Your Computer 2.2 Turning on the Power 2.3 Loading the Medium 2.4 If the sensor detects that there is no paper left while roll paper is being cut 2.5 Adjusting and Mounting the Cutter Pen 2.6 Mounting the Pen...

Use a Centronics-compatible serial cable or USB cable in accordance with the connection method chosen. Obtain a Graphtec approved interface cable that is compatible with the interface ports (the interface cables are available separately).

Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.2 Turning on the Power Connect the cutting plotter to the AC electrical socket using the power cord provided, and turn on the power. (1) Check to confirm that the Power switch is turned off (the "O" side is down). (2) Connect the cutting-plotter AC power inlet to a correctly rated electrical socket using the power cord provided.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.3 Loading the Medium Load the medium, aligning it with the right-hand grit roller when viewed from the front so that it registers with the media sensor. Then, adjust the push-roller position to match the width of the medium. The cutting plotter can use media in roll or sheet form.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter Align the collar with the shaft holder, and then press down firmly on the collar until it is fully seated. Press down firmly Shaft holder Collar CAUTION on the collar • While cutting or plotting is in progress, please keep your hands, hair, etc., away from the shaft holder and the collar.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter (5) Move the stock shaft stopper to the FREE position. FREE position: This is the status when the lever has been pushed down and engaged, and the silver-colored section is hidden. The stock shaft rotates in the FREE status. FREE LOCK CAUTION...

Setting up The Cutter Plotter (8) Move the stock shaft stopper to the LOCK position. LOCK position: This is the status when the lever has been pulled up and inserted into the groove, and the silver-colored section can be seen. The stock shaft does not rotate in the LOCK status. FREE LOCK CAUTION...

Setting up The Cutter Plotter (12) Move the stock shaft stopper to the FREE position. FREE position: This is the status when the lever has been pushed down and engaged, and the silver-colored section is hidden. The stock shaft rotates in the FREE status. FREE LOCK CAUTION...

Setting up The Cutter Plotter Loading a Sheet Media (1) Lower the media set lever to raise the push rollers. (2) Load the medium, aligning the edges with the upper and lower scales on the front guide. Media sensor Align with scale CHECKPOINT Load the medium so that it passes over the media sensor.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter Aligning the Push Rollers Adjust the position of the left- and right-hand push rollers to suit the medium width. Position the push rollers at either edge of the medium so that they are above the grit rollers. Adjust the push rollers so that they are positioned above both the medium and the grit rollers.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter Position push rollers (1) and (3) over the grit rollers to grip each edge of the medium, and position push roller (2) over the grit roller nearest the center of the medium. The medium is gripped by the three push rollers (1), (2), and (3).

Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.4 If the sensor detects that there is no paper left while roll paper is being cut If the media sensor detects that there is no paper left during a roll paper cutting operation, cutting is stopped automatically.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.5 Adjusting and Mounting the Cutter Pen Individual cutter blades have a variety of features. Select the optimal cutter blade to suit the medium to be cut. CAUTION To avoid cutting your fingers, always handle the cutter blade with caution. Types and Features of Cutter Blades Part No.

Setting up The Cutter Plotter (2) First align the blade tip with the tip of the cutter pen, and then extend the blade from that position to suit the thickness of the media to be cut. (3) As a guideline for determining the proper blade length, run a test cut (for instructions, see Section 3.7 "Test Cutting"...

Setting up The Cutter Plotter 2.6 Mounting the Pen Mount a pen in the pen station CHECKPOINT When mounting a pen for this cutting plotter, be sure to mount it at the pen station. To avoid injury, avoid touching the pen immediately after the cutting plotter is turned on or whenever the pen is moving. Open the holder arm of the pen station with your finger, then mount the pen in the pen holder.After the pen is properly mounted, close the holder arm to secure the pen.

COND. No. By selecting a different COND No., you can easily switch between pre-defined cutting conditions for eight sets of media. CHECKPOINT The pen number settings for the CE5000-120AP are as follows. These settings cannot be changed. Command-specified Physical COND. No.

Basic Settings and Operations Setting OFFSET This setting adjusts the offset of the cutter blade to suit the blade type used. The tip of the blade mounted in the cutter-pen plunger is not positioned at the center of the pen, so correction is required.

Basic Settings and Operations Setting QUALITY Sets the acceleration used in cutting. (1) Press the (COND.) key in READY mode to display the cutter-pen conditions. (2) Select the setting area (condition number) to be set, and then use the key to move the s symbol to the position shown below.

Basic Settings and Operations 3.2 Displaying the Effective Cutting Area Press the (ENTER) key in READY mode to display the current effective cutting area. X 0 0 0 0 m m Y 0 0 0 m m 3.3 Moving the Pen In READY mode, press the key to move the pen carriage to the left or right, and the to feed the medium backward or forward.

Basic Settings and Operations 3.4 Setting the Initial Cutting Position (Origin Point) This function allows the starting position for cutting or plotting to be moved to the desired position. New origin Original origin (1) In READY mode, use the (POSITION) keys to move the cutter pen to the new origin point.

Basic Settings and Operations 3.5 Stop Function Cutting or plotting can be stopped by pressing the (PAUSE) key while cutting or plotting is in progress. Raising or lowering the media set lever while cutting or plotting is stopped does not require the medium to be selected, and so the medium can be replaced or reset.

Basic Settings and Operations 3.6 Moving the Pen Carriage in +100 mm Steps This function allows the pen carriage to be moved from its current position in +100 mm steps along the X- and Y-axes. 100mm Moved pen-carriage position Original pen-carriage position In READY mode, press the key while holding down the (ENTER) key to move the pen...

Basic Settings and Operations 3.7 Test Cutting Test cutting can be performed after selecting the TOOL (cutter blade) and specifying the cutter-blade length, OFFSET, FORCE, SPEED, and QUALITY settings to ensure that the selected cutting conditions actually produce the desired cutting results. Check how far the blade cuts into the medium and how corners are being cut;...

Function Settings and Operations 4.2 Clearing the Buffer Memory This function deletes the data sent to the cutting plotter. It is used to abort cutting while it is in progress. (1) Press the (PAUSE) key to switch to PAUSE mode. C L E A R B U F F E R (2) Stop the transmission of data from the computer if this is in progress.

Function Settings and Operations 4.3 Setting the FEED & CUT function TThis function enables cross-cutting of the medium. Cutting is performed after one page has been fed. The page length is the length specified in Section 4.30 "Setting the Page Length. (1) Press the (PAUSE) key to switch to PAUSE mode.

Function Settings and Operations 4.4 Blade Wear Detection (When Blade Wear Setup is On) This function calculates the total cutting distance of the cutter blade to indicate when it requires replacement. This should be used purely as a guide, as the actual cutter-blade wear will vary depending on the material cut and the cutting conditions (e.g., force) used.

Function Settings and Operations Clearing the Total Distance (Wear Rate) Always zero the total-distance display when a cutter blade has been replaced. This starts the total-distance calculation from zero. (1) Press the (PAUSE) key to switch to PAUSE mode. (2) Press the (NEXT) or (PREV.) key until the following menu is displayed.

Function Settings and Operations 4.6 Selecting the Type of Perforated Line The CUT LINE PAT. function lets you specify one of seven types of cut lines from 0 to 6. If you select OFF, a solid line is cut. The default setting is 6. Change this setting if the shapes being cut either separate too easily or are hard to separate.

Function Settings and Operations 4.7 Setting TANGENTIAL Mode This function should be used for the cutting of thick media (more than 0.3 mm in thickness) and when the cutter blade is not able to turn properly due to the cutting depth, resulting in discrepancies between the start and finish point and the inability to cut sharp corners.

Function Settings and Operations 4.8 Selecting the Blade Tip's Initial Position Whenever the cutting plotter is turned on or any of its cutting condition settings changed, initial blade control is performed to position the cutter pen's blade on the medium so that the blade's tip is properly oriented. This function is called the "Initial Blade Position".

Function Settings and Operations 4.9 Setting the PEN UP SPEED This function sets the travel speed of the pen when it is raised. It can be specified independently of the cutting SPEED function. When the PEN UP SPEED is high, the pen travels faster when it is raised, thereby reducing the overall cutting time.

Function Settings and Operations 4.10 Specifying the INITIAL FEED Length This function lets you select whether or not to perform an initial feed operation when the cutting plotter is turned on, when the media set lever is raised and a medium reloaded, or when a new medium is loaded. During an INITIAL FEED operation, the medium is automatically advanced while the grit rollers make marks on the medium to prevent it from slipping.

Function Settings and Operations 4.11 Setting AUTO PRE-FEED When the AUTO PRE-FEED function is set to "ON," the medium is automatically fed forward and backward by the preset length when data is received. This operation leaves traces of the grit rollers on the media and prevents it from slipping during a cutting or plotting operation.

Function Settings and Operations 4.12 Distance Adjustment This function corrects any deviation in the length of cut or the plotted line segments, which occurs depending on the medium being used. The adjustment value for the deviation is specified as a percentage of the total distance.

Function Settings and Operations 4.13 Aligning the Coordinate Axes This function is used to compensate for any offset in the origin or angular deviation in the coordinate axes that occurs when a medium plotted in another plotter is loaded or when a previously plotted medium is reloaded.

Function Settings and Operations (8) Press the (PAUSE) key to cancel PAUSE mode. CHECKPOINT After the axes are aligned, the settings will be reset if any of the following are performed. • Specification of a new origin • Loading of a new medium •...

Function Settings and Operations 4.14 Setting the Cutting/Plotting Area This function allows the area in which cutting/plotting will be performed to be specified, thereby preventing cutting/plotting outside the specified area. This function enables more efficient use of the medium through the specification of uncut portions of a medium that have already been cut, to avoid the previously cut areas.

Function Settings and Operations 4.15 Expanding the Cutting/Plotting Area This function allows the width of the cutting/plotting area to be extended by 9.5 mm on both sides, for a total increase of 19 mm, enabling cutting to be performed up to the area in which the pinch rollers are positioned. (1) Press the (PAUSE) key to switch to PAUSE mode.

Function Settings and Operations 4.16 Rotating the Coordinate Axes This function allows the cutting/plotting origin and coordinate axes to be rotated as shown below. New origin When axis-coordinate rotation is "on" When axiscoordinate rotation is "off" Origin (1) Press the (PAUSE) key to switch to PAUSE mode.

Function Settings and Operations 4.17 Sorting Settings This function sorts the cutting/plotting data stored in the memory so that cutting is performed last when both cutting and plotting operations are performed. This is useful for data requiring a large number of movements on the drawing with the pen raised.

Function Settings and Operations 4.18 Specifying the SPACE REAR Distance The SPACE REAR function specifies the trailing margin of the medium. When cross-cutting is performed on the basis of the TIMEOUT or SEPARATOR setting, cross-cutting is initiated at a coordinate position which is the maximum +X-axis position plotted plus the distance specified by the SPACE REAR setting.

Function Settings and Operations 4.19 Setting the OFFSET FORCE (Initial Cutting Force) This function specifies the cutting force to be applied during initial blade control for checking the cutter-blade direction at the start of operation. This is used to control the rotation of the cutter-blade tip during initial blade control when thick media is cut, and is therefore not necessary to specify for media of regular thickness.

Function Settings and Operations 4.20 Setting the Initial Down Force The initial down-force setting is useful when TANGENTIAL mode is selected (for the cutting of thick media). With a thick medium, additional time is required for the cutter blade to penetrate the medium fully, even when the necessary cutting force is applied.

Function Settings and Operations 4.21 Setting the STEP PASS Reducing this setting increases image quality by enabling smooth cutter-blade tip control when arcs are cut. The STEP PASS setting specified is used as the unit for blade tip control, with blade tip control omitted for any data below the STEP PASS setting.

Function Settings and Operations 4.22 Setting the OFFSET ANGLE This function sets the reference value used to adjust the cutter-blade offset angle to correspond to the displacement of the traveling angle as defined by the coordinate movement data received. The cutter blade is controlled above the angle specified.

Function Settings and Operations 4.23 Setting the F_CUT Function When the COMMAND setting is GP-GL, the F_CUT function is used to enable or disable cross-cutting. When the F_CUT function is enabled, cross-cutting of the medium will be performed even if the cutting plotter is sent a feed command instructing it not to cut the medium.

Function Settings and Operations 4.25 Adjusting the Distance Between the Pens This function compensates for the difference in position between the cutter pen and the plotter pen. First of all, mount a plotter pen in the pen station and draw a cross. Next, mount a cutter pen in the cutter pen holder and cut a second cross (the reference cross).

Function Settings and Operations 4.26 Cutting/Plotting Using the Buffer Memory (COPY Function) This function is used to make duplicate copies of cutting or plotting data that has been sent from the computer and is retained in the cutting plotter's internal memory. 3rd copy 6th copy 2nd copy...

Before data is sent from the computer, the format (command mode) of data sent by the application software must be checked. The cutting plotter accepts two data formats (command modes): GP-GL (Graphtec) and HP-GL commands. Set the command mode to suit the application used.

Function Settings and Operations Setting the ORIGIN POINT If the HP-GL command mode is set, the origin point can be set to the lower left or center. The default setting is the lower left, so change this setting if your application specifies a different origin position.

Function Settings and Operations 4.29 Interface Settings The interface conditions must be set if the RS-232C serial interface is used, to ensure that the data-transfer rate (baud rate), data length, and parity settings for the cutting plotter match those set in the application software or computer operating system.

Function Settings and Operations 4.30 Setting the PAGE LENGTH This function sets the length of each page when long-axis cutting or plotting is performed using a roll medium. This should be set for long-axis cutting or plotting exceeding 5 m in length. The default setting is "5000 mm."...

Function Settings and Operations 4.31 Setting the SEPARATOR Function The SEPARATOR function specifies a command for use as the separator. While receiving data from the computer, the cutting plotter considers the receipt of the command specified by the SEPARATOR setting as an indication that a complete set of data has been sent.

Function Settings and Operations 4.32 Setting the TIMEOUT Function When data is being input to the cutting plotter via the interface, the cutting plotter considers any pause in data transmission that is equal to or longer than the specified TIMEOUT interval as a indication that a complete set of data has been sent and performs cross-cutting of the medium.

Function Settings and Operations 4.33 Setting the PAPER READY TIME This function is used to set the length of time required for a medium that has been pulled out from a roll to become acclimated to the operating environment in order to prevent adverse cutting or plotting results due to medium expansion or contraction.

Function Settings and Operations 4.34 Setting the PAPER LOAD Function This function is used to set the number of pre-feed operations (an operation that leaves traces of the grit rollers on a medium to prevent it from slipping during a cutting or plotting operation) to be performed on a length of medium that has been pulled out from a roll.

Function Settings and Operations 4.35 TEST Mode The cutting plotter has four test modes: "Condition print" (COND. PAT.) for the printing of setting details, "Self-test" for checking accuracy, "Dump mode" for checking data transfers from the computer, and "Cutting demo" (CUT. DEMO) for the cutting of a demo pattern. These should be used to check the various settings and to check for problems.

Function Settings and Operations Dump Mode This function checks whether data is sent correctly from the computer. If the output data does not match the program after the dump list has been output, check the transfer conditions and connections. (1) Mount a plotting pen in the pen carriage, and set the conditions to suit the pen used (e.g., force, pen speed settings).

Setting and Using the Special Functions 5.1 Description of Special Functions A The cutting plotter is provided with the special functions described below. These functions are specified only in special situations, and are not normally used. Enabling/Disabling the ":" and ";" Commands (when the COMMAND setting is GP-GL) This function enables or disables the ":"...

Setting and Using the Special Functions Enabling/Disabling the Media Sensors This function sets the media sensors that detect the size of the medium in the feed direction. When ENABLED is selected, the feed-direction media sensors are enabled. When DISABLED is selected, the feed-direction media sensors are disabled. (The default setting is ENABLED.) Enabling/Disabling the Home Sensors This function sets the home sensors that detect the width of the medium.

Setting and Using the Special Functions 5.3 Description of Special Functions B These functions are specified only in the special situations described below, and are not normally used. Display Language Setting (MENU LANGUAGE SELECTION) This function sets the language used on the display. One of six languages can be selected: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese.

CHAPTER Troubleshooting 6.1 The Cutting Plotter Does Not Operate When Turned On 6.2 The Cutting Plotter Does Not Operate Correctly 6.3 The Cutting Results Are Unsatisfactory 6.4 An Error Message Was Displayed...

The STATUS lamp on the The cutting plotter is defective. Contact your sales representative or control panel lights up, but nearest Graphtec dealer. nothing appears on the display panel. 6.2 The Cutting Plotter Does Not Operate Correctly Symptom Cause...

Set the stock shaft stopper to the LOCK position. FREE position. If this problem occurs frequently, contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec dealer. SPEED ERROR is The pen carriage was subjected to Turn the cutting plotter off and then displayed.

Troubleshooting Error messages in GP-GL command mode Error message Cause Solution GP-GL ERROR 1 An unrecognizable command was received. Noise was received when the computer was Press the ENTER key to cancel the turned on. error. The software command settings for Set the software command settings controlling the cutting plotter have been for controlling the cutting plotter.

Troubleshooting Error messages in HP-GL command mode Error message Cause Solution HP-GL ERROR 1 An unrecognizable command was received. Noise was received when the computer was Press the ENTER key to cancel the turned on. error. The software command settings for Set the software command settings controlling the cutting plotter have been for controlling the cutting plotter.

0.1 mm/ C, 0.3 mm/10% RH. *2: The precision specification is the precision that was obtained when Graphtec’s mylar film was used to measure the mechanical precision. Please note that as only fine quality pattern paper can be used with this device, the precision may differ slightly.